When the Broadway hit musical “Rock of Ages” neared the end of its successful six-year run at the Helen Hayes Theatre in early 2015, Marlboro resident Barry Habib, the show’s lead producer, capitalized on his success and continued his music aspirations by forming a local rock band, which he aptly named the Rock of Ages Band. Habib secured Constantine Maroulis, the lead performer in the Broadway “Rock of Ages” as frontman for his Rock of Ages Band, and then dug into the deep pool of Monmouth County’s musical talent to find supporting band members who would be worthy of the Broadway show’s reputation.
Barry Habib is a true entrepreneur, owning several successful businesses over the past 30 years, selling each one and then heading off to a new opportunity, not necessarily related to the previous one. Currently CEO at MBS Highway, a financial market advisory service, Habib and wife Toni have never lost their love for music. In fact, Toni Habib has several producer and co-producer credits to her name, working closely alongside her husband both on Broadway, and in the four feature films that they have been involved with. Barry relates that he trusts his wife’s “gut instincts” on matters relating to their entertainment industry decisions, and it seems that they do indeed make a great team!
Habib is not only the consummate businessman, but a fine singer in his own right, and fit in seamlessly with the Rock Of Ages Band at a recent show at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch.
Maroulis, an American Idol alum, stage and screen veteran, and Tony Award nominee, is a natural for this group, after playing the lead role for all six years of the show’s run on Broadway. Of course, it wouldn’t be a genuine Maroulis performance without his version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” made famous during his long stay on American Idol. In addition to Habib, Maroulis’ vocal partners for this show included regular member Bre Cady and special guest Scott Elk.
One of the strengths of the Rock Of Ages band is their vocals, and adding Elk for this show (and hopefully more shows in the future) really makes the band pop. Elk is a busy man, performing frequently in the area with his band Guilty Pleasure, and as a solo act, or sometimes as a duo or trio with other local favorites like Dee Dee Montanaro, Kyle Ward and Aaron Manzo.
Asbury Park resident Bre Cade adds a wonderful flavor to the group, not only contributing backing vocals, but taking the lead on favorites such as Pat Benatar’s “Hit me With Your Best Shot” and “I’m the Only One” by Melissa Etheridge. Cade’s stage experience also comes into play, gracefully moving about and interacting with her bandmates, all while belting out a tune with great emotion.
It has been said that no rock band can be great without a great lead guitarist; if that is true, then Rock Of Ages need not worry about climbing the ladder of success. Holmdel resident Brad Capinjola is a fantastic player, and worth the price of admission all by himself. He is a humble musician, and there is nothing flashy about him, but he has the look, and the chops, and the confidence to take this or any band to the next level. He represents the common belief of this group perfectly; everyone knows their part, and executes it well. There is no fighting amongst members to get to the front of the stage to be seen, or to be photographed. The same can be said of rhythm guitarist Joe Imbesi of nearby Colts Neck, a perfect complement to Capinjola. Rhythm guitarists can be unsung heroes, and Imbesi has the talent and experience to know when to “turn it up a notch,” and when to hang back. No empty space here, folks; the full sound of the band can be largely attributed to these two fine guitarists.
Behind the drum kit sits Dan Prestup, flanked by percussionist Dennis Francese and bassist Semi Quaver; for without the groove, you cannot have rock music. Quaver is a true veteran of the rock wars, leaving his “heavier” music behind him for now to hold down the low end for Rock Of Ages. Prestup also leaves his hard rock roots (temporarily, splitting time) with the band Midnight Eternal) to join this group, and perhaps it is their previous common interests that join these two together to sound so good. Percussionist extraordinaire Dennis Francese rounds out the rhythm section, a man whose hands never stop moving. As the band chooses to work without a keyboardist, Francese is instrumental in helping fill out the sound for the group. Several outstanding percussion players have evolved at the shore in the past few years, and Francese can count himself near the top of the list.
Take some excellent Jersey talent and throw in a healthy pinch of Broadway experience, and you get a great night out with friends and family … rock for all ages to enjoy!
– By Chris Spiewak, currently the bassist for Rock/Blues cover band VyntEdge.
